Side camming balance spring lock



Sept. 1, 1964 L. E. PETERS SIDE CAMMING BALANCE SPRING LOCK 2Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 24, 1962 [Afl/l ll l .I I u, O

/5 .I INVENTOR.

J7' 41E/ir K5' sept. 1, 1964 Filed Sept. 24, 1962 L, E. PETERS 3,146,501

SIDE CAMMING BALANCE SPRING LOCK 2 Sheets-Skaail 2 INVENTOR UnitedStates Patent O 3,146,501 SEDE CAMMING BALANCE SPRING LGCK Loweli E.Peters, 2386 Grandin Road, Cincinnati, hio Filed Sept. 24, 1962, Ser.No. 225,529 4 Claims. (Cl. Ztl-42) This invention relates to a slidingsash type window of the type described in my co-pending applicationsSerial Nos. 115,717, filed June 8, 1961, and now Patent No. 3,055,063,patented September 25, 1962, and 113,216, filed May 29, 1961, and nowPatent No. 3,055,062 patented September 25, 1962, in which the sash maybe tilted or pivoted between vertical and horizontal positions and maybe removed from the window frame entirely.

Basically, the pivoted or tilt out sash type window is not a newconcept, but rather it has its origin at least as early as thenineteenth century. There has been a recent emphasis on such windows andmany attempts have been made to provide commercially satisfactorydesigns. The increased emphasis on this type of sash window has beencaused by the need for and the desirability of reducing the time andexpense of maintaining clean windows.

The type of window to which the invention is directed is one in whichupper and lower sliding sash are normally confined in their verticalplanes but are adapted to be released from such plane and rotatedthrough an angle of approximately A90" to a horizontal position. in sucha horizontal position the glazing on each sash normally facing theoutside of the building may be conveniently washed without requiring aperson to be on the outside of the building. Additionally, when bothsash are in a horizontal position, almost the complete window frame areais open to permit the circulation of air during warm weather.

When the feature of complete removability of the sash is added to thestructure, the structure is even more advantageous, at least from thestandpoint of the convenience with which broken glazing can be replaced.

It has been an objective of the invention to provide a sliding sash typewindow in which the sash can be pivoted and removed, the windowstructure being of such an economical design that its cost will not besubstantially greater than a sliding sash type window not having thetilting and removability features.

A sash type window to which the invention is applied has double sashslidably mounted in side jamb weather stripping which is resilientlybiased toward the sash stiles for good weather protection. Balancesprings are conneeted between the window frame and sash to facilitatethe raising of the sash. Through a minimum redesign of such elements andthrough the addition of one other element in the connection of thebalance spring to the sash, the objectives of the invention can beattained. In this way, economy and simplicity are provided, for thecomplexity of the window has not been increased. Additionally,reliability of the window has been preserved by maintaining thesimplicity of construction.

An important aspect of the invention resides in the structure by whichthe balance spring is connected to the sash. The connection comprises ablock which is snugly slidable in a channel in the weather stripping,the block being recessed to receive a pin which is connected to thesash. The balance spring is connected to the block and normally urgesthe sash in an uppermost position. lt can be appreciated that when thesash is tilted through an angle of 90, the full weight of the window isnot applied to the balance spring so that there is a tendency to pullthe bottom of the sash upwardly. Also, if the sash is removed, thebalance springs will snap upwardly because they are resisted only by theweight of the slidable blocks.

In accordance with the present invention, the pin which is disposed inthe block recess has a locking or camming 3,145,50l Patented Sept. l,1964 ICC base mounted in the slot recess and a projecting flat portionwhich is engageable with the slot in the lower corner of the windowsash. The pin is mounted off the longitudinal center line of the blockand has a locking portion projecting from the base, the locking portionnormaliy lying within the contines of the block. However, when the pinis rotated through approximately the projecting portion is swungoutwardly from the side surface of the block and moves into tightengagement with the wall forming a part of the side jamb weatherstripping channel in which the block slides. When the projecting portionis swung into engagement with the channel wall, the opposite sidesurface of the block is forced with the same pressure into engagementwith the opposite channel wall, thereby frictionally locking the blockin the channel against the upward urging of the balance spring.

lt should be understood that the pin could be positioned in the centerof the block and have projecting portions on either side so that, uponrotation of the block, the projecting portions of the pin engage thewalls of the channel, whereby only the pin forms a locking engagementwith the channel walls. While such centered pin structure will performsatisfactorily, I prefer to employ the embodiment wherein the pin camsthe block against the wall of the channel, so as to utilize the totalsurface of one side of the block to provide the frictional lock.

The several features and objectives of the invention will become morereadily apparent from the following detailed description taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a window frame and sash employing myinvention,

FG. 2 is a cross-sectional View taken along lines 2-2 of FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the side jamb weatherstripping containing locks of my invention,

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 but partly in sections to show theoperating characteristics of the invention, and

FIG. 5 is a disassembled perspective view of the lock of my invention.

As shown in FiG. l, the window with which the invention is employed hasa frame 10 within which an upper sash 11 and a lower sash 12 areslidably and pivotally mounted. The lower corners of each sash areslotted as at 13 to receive pins 14 having flat heads 15 and forming apart of the balance spring lock. The slot 13 may be confgurated asdescribed in my co-pending application Serial No. 171,955, filedFebruary 8, 1962, to facilitate the introduction and removal of the dathead of the pin 14 with respect to the slot. In any event, the slot 13and pin 14 cooperation must be such as to permit the pin to be insertedand removed therefrom and, further, when the pin is inserted, to blockthe pin against rotation with respect to the sash. Thus, as the sash ispivoted through 90, the sash in turn rotates the pin 14 through 90.

The sides of the window frame are formed by a side jamb 16 which isbracketed by jamb liners 17. Side jamb weather stripping 18 is mountedbetween the jamb liners by screws i9 which permit the side jamb weatherstripping to be moved toward and away from the side jamb 16. Helicalcompression springs 20 resiliently bias the side jamb weather strippingaway from the side jamb and into snug engagement with the side stiles ofeach sash.

The side jamb weather stripping 18 has a pair of spaced parallellongitudinal concavities 21 which receive the side stiles of each sash.The side stiles have a convex` conguration in transverse section bywhich they seat firmly in the concavities 21. It should be understood ofcourse that the side jamb weather stripping may be convexly coniiguratedinstead of employing the concavities 21 in which event the side stileswould be concavely formed in order to provide the retaining cooperation.

Because of the resilient mounting of the side jamb weather stripping,when either sash is pulled inwardly by applying pressure to the top railthereof, the side stiles force the weather stripping toward the sidejambs and thereby permit the pivoting movement of the sash.

In order to facilitate the raising and lowering of the sash, it iscommon practice to connect the sash to a counter balancing mechanism. Tothis end the side jamb weather stripping is formed with longitudinalchannels 2S within which balance springs 26 (FIGS. 3 and 4) on each sideof the sash are mounted, the balance springs being secured at theirupper ends to the screws 19 which mount the weather stripping to theside jambs. Each spring has a lower end 27 which is connected by meansof a pin 28 to a block 29 which is slidable in the channel 25. The upperend portion of the block 29 has a slot 30 which receives a loop 31 onthe lower end 27 of each spring, the pin 28 passing through the loop.

Each block has a recess 34 which is open at the front surface 35, thatis the surface facing the sash. The recess is also open at the sidesurface 36 of the block.

The recess 34 has a cylindrical wall 37 which rotatably and slidablyreceives a locking base portion 33 of the pin 14. A hole 39 in the wallof the block at the bottom of the recess receives a stud 4t? at the endof the pin 14 to stabilize the positioning of the pin 14 Within therecess.

The base 38 of the pin has two planar surfaces 44 and two cylindricalsurfaces 45. When the pin is vertically oriented, that is by having itsflat head extending in a vertical direction, the planar surfaces 44will'be vertical With one of them being flush with the side wall 36 ofblock 29. When the pin is rotated through 90, one of the cylindricalsurfaces 45 projects beyond the plane of the side wall 36 and moves intoengagement with the wall of the channel 25. The condition of the lockwith respect to the channel is shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. In each of thesegures, the lock on the left side has its pin vertically oriented topermit sliding movement and the lock on the right side has its pinhorizontally oriented to lock the balance spring in an extendedposition. When in a locking position, the transverse dimensions of thelock at a line through the center of the pin is substantially greaterthan the width of the channel in which the lock is positioned, so thatwhen the pin 14 is in its horizontal attitude a considerable pressure isexerted between the lock and the walls of the channel. Moreparticularly, there is a line pressure at the line of engagement ofcylindrical surface 45 with the channel wall and an area of pressureover the complete opposite side of the block 29 as it engages theopposite side wall of the channel. It is possible to apply such aconsiderable force comparatively easily because of the mechanicaladvantage obtained due to the height of the sash. In other words, theheight of the sash represents a lever arm by which force applied to thesash headrail is applied to the pin 14.

In operation, the sash are normally in a vretical position. In thevertical position, the slot 13 in the lower corners of each sash causesthe pin 14 to assume a vertical position. When in the vertical positionthe balance springs 26 apply an upwardly directed force to the blocks 29and consequently to the sash, thus overcoming the elects of gravity andfacilitating the raising and lowering of the windows. If it is desiredto open the windows for the purpose of washing them or increasing theventilation of the building, the lower sash 12 is brought to itslowermost position and pivoted inwardly to a substantially horizontalposition and pivoted inwardly to a substantially horizontal position. Inso pivoting the sash the slot 13 pivots the pin 14 through 90 bringingit to the position illustrated in the right-hand sides of FIGS. 3 and 4.In this position pressure, as described above, is applied by the lock tothe side walls of the channel 25.

That pressure creates a frictional retaining force considerably greaterthan the force applied by the extended stressed springs. The balancesprings therefore remain in the extended position.

The upper sash may then be dropped to its lowermost position and pivotedhorizontally.

When in the horizontal position each sash may be removed if desired.When it is time to replace the sash, the pins 14, being held in thelowermost position, are properly oriented and in a proper position toreceive the corner slots 13 of the sash. The upper sash may then bepositioned on the pins, pivoted to a vertical position and raised.Thereafter the lower sash may also be pivoted to a vertical position.

While there are a number of materials which might be suitable for thelock mechanism, I prefer to use nylon or other similar plastic for boththe block 29 and the pin 14 in view of its lubricity which permits it toslide easily in the slot 2S and in view of its compressibility whichpermits it to be jammed tightly in the slot upon rotation of the pin toa horizontal attitude.

I claim:

1. In a tilt out sash window comprising a frame including side jambs, atleast one sash having side Stiles, side jamb weather stripping securedto said side jambs, said weather stripping being congurated to receivesaid sash side stiles in sliding engagement, springs between said sidejamb and said weather stripping resiliently biasing said weatherstripping toward said side stiles, a longitudinal channel in saidweather stripping on each side of said frame and a balance spring ineach said channel,

a balance spring lock comprising a block slidable in each said channeland connected to said balance spring.

said block having a recess in the front Surface thereof,

a pin having a base at one end mounted in said recess and having theother end projecting into a lower corner of said sash and fixed againstrotation therein,

said pin base having a locking surface normally lying within thecontines of said block but being projectable beyond the side of saidblock into engagement with the wall of said channel upon rotation ofsaid pin through approximately 2. In a tilt out sash window comprising aframe including side jambs, at least one sash having side stiles, sidejamb weather stripping secured to said side jambs, said weatherstripping being configurated to receive said sash side stiles in slidingengagement, springs between said side jaimb and said weather strippingresiliently biasing said weather stripping toward said side stiles, alongitudinal channel in said weather stripping on each side of saidframe and a balance spring in each said channel,

a balance spring lock comprising a block slidable in each said channeland connected to said balance spring,

said block having a recess in the front surface thereof,

said recess opening to the side of said block,-

a pin having a base at one end mounted in said recess and having theother end projecting into a lower corner of said sash and fixed againstrotation therein,

said pin base being generally cylindrical and having at least one flatsurface lying within the contines of said block when said pin is in arst position, said cylindrical portion of said base projecting throughsaid side opening into a pressure engagement with the wall of saidchannel upon rotation of said pin through approximately 90.

3. A balance spring lock for use in a vertical channel of a window sidejamb comprising a block slidable in each said channel,

said block having a recess in one surface thereof,

a pin having a base at one end rotatably mounted in said recess andhaving the other end projecting from said block,

said pin base having a locking surface normally lying 5 within theconfines of said block but being projectable beyond the side of saidblock into engagement with the Wall of said channel upon rotation ofsaid pin through approximately 90, the other end of said pin beingreceivable by a sash for rotation upon pivoting of said sash.

4. A balance spring lock for use in a channel of a Window side jambcomprising a block slidable in each said channel, said block having ahole therein olset from the longitudinal center line of said block, apin having a stud at one end mounted in said hole and having the otherend projecting from said block,

5 said pin having a locking base intermediate said stud and saidprojecting end, said base having a locking surface normally lying Withinthe confines of said block but being projectable beyond the side of saidblock into engagement with the wall of said channel upon rotation ofsaid pin through approximately 90.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,987,758 Osten June 13, 1961

3. A BALANCE SPRING LOCK FOR USE IN A VERTICAL CHANNEL OF A WINDOW SIDEJAMB COMPRISING A BLOCK SLIDABLE IN EACH SAID CHANNEL, SAID BLOCK HAVINGA RECESS IN ONE SURFACE THEREOF, A PIN HAVING A BASE AT ONE ENDROTATABLY MOUNTED IN SAID RECESS AND HAVING THE OTHER END PROJECTINGFROM SAID BLOCK, SAID PIN BASE HAVING A LOCKING SURFACE NORMALLY LYINGWITHIN THE CONFINES OF SAID BLOCK BUT BEING PROJECTABLE BEYOND THE SIDEOF SAID BLOCK INTO ENGAGEMENT WITH THE WALL OF SAID CHANNEL UPONROTATION OF SAID PIN THROUGH APPROXIMATELY 90*, THE OTHER END OF SAIDPIN BEING RECEIVABLE BY A SASH FOR ROTATION UPON PIVOTING OF SAID SASH.